The Roots of Western Civilization: The Ancient Middle East to 500 BC

1		What role did cultural diffusion play in this period?
2		What environmental advantages did the ancient Middle East have that permitted the growth of agriculture and cities? What disadvantages did the Middle East have?*
3		Why was agriculture a key step for the beginnings of Western civilization? Why did it lead to differentiation within societies?
4		Why did Sumerians develop a highly organized society? What was the role of religion in the organization of Sumerian society?
5		Why did writing develop in Sumerian civilization? What uses was it put to? How did those uses change over time? Why is record-keeping important for Western civilization?
6		Compare the religious outlooks of Egyptians and Sumerians. How can we explain the differences?
7		What made some Egyptian rulers successful? Why did others fail?
8		Why was the Phoenician alphabet such an important contribution to Western civilization?
9		How were the Jews able to maintain their integrity while being part of a diaspora?*
10		How did cultural diffusion and the achievements of preceding cultures shape Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian cultures? What were the strengths and weaknesses of each empire?*
11		Why is the Persian empire considered the culmination of the Middle Eastern phase of Western civilization?